You can try to get your VAT refund through the mail but the process takes much longer and can be unreliable. Most people submit their requests at the airport on their way home. You'll have to present your documents to a customs agent, whose stamp is required as “proof of export.”

While the airport is the most common place to claim a VAT (Value Added Tax) refund, it is not the only location where you can process your claim. In 2026, many major tourist destinations offer "Downtown Refund" offices located in luxury shopping districts or department stores. These offices allow you to receive your refund in cash or back to your card immediately while you are still on vacation, though you must still present your validated "Tax-Free" forms to customs at your point of departure (airport, seaport, or land border) to prove you have exported the goods. If you fail to do this, the refund will be charged back to your credit card. Additionally, some countries have implemented digital kiosks at major train stations or land borders for travelers leaving by rail or car. The key is that the final validation of the goods must happen at the "exit point" of the country or the trade zone (like the EU). However, the convenience of the airport remains popular because all the necessary customs offices and refund counters (like Planet or Global Blue) are centralized in one location near your departure gate.